Erupt Meaning
/ɪˈɹʌpt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo eject something violently (such as lava or water, as from a volcano or geyser).
verbTo burst forth; to break out.
Sentence Examples
The volcano may erupt at any moment.
Tom looked like a volcano about to erupt.
The volcano could erupt at any time.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The volcano might ____ at any moment, so residents are being evacuated.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Scientists are concerned that the volcano might ____ in the coming weeks.
Word Origin & History
From Latin eruptus, past participle of ērumpō (“to break out (of), to burst out (from)”), from e (“out”) + rumpō (“to break”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"And Stamford Bridge erupted with joy as Florent Malouda slotted in a cross from Drogba, who had stayed just onside."
— 2010 December 29, Chris Whyatt, “Chelsea 1 - 0 Bolton”, in BBC
"Some of the most beautiful and thus appealing physical theories, including quantum electrodynamics and quantum gravity, have been dogged for decades by infinities that erupt when theorists try to prod their calculations into new domains. Getting rid of these nagging infinities has probably occupied far more effort than was spent in originating the theories."
— 2012 January 26, Michael Riordan, “Tackling Infinity”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, archived from the original on 30 Apr 2013, page 86:
"After particularly good seasons, flocks "erupt" from their breeding grounds and appear in reed beds where they have not been seen for years, if ever."
— 1988, Michael Cady, Rob Hume, editors, The Complete Book of British Birds, page 242:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The volcano might ____ at any moment, so residents are being evacuated.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Scientists are concerned that the volcano might ____ in the coming weeks.